Thursday, September 22, 2011

Meet Debut at Remington Park

Tabby Lane finally got a race to fill at Remington this Friday night.The condition book had two substitute races in it: a $20,000 claiming race and a $10,000 Starter Allowance.My preference was the Starter.I really don’t care about the tag, I just thought that the starter might be an easier spot.$20,000 is a pretty good jump up in class for our girl from where she has been running, but the starter did not fill so straight claimer we go.

The field is only eight, but it is a pretty good quality field and if we wanted to stretch her a bit, we’re going to get our chance on Friday night in race seven.The race is over the main track and will go a mile and a sixteenth.

1 – Veillit’ (Hartman/Compton): This filly has been claimed out of her last four races all over California.If she goes here (she’s entered at Zia Park on Saturday).She’s got some early speed from the inside and last won at Hollywood in June in an $8,000 claiming race.

2 – Miss Afleet Alex (Lozano/Laviolette): As a betting opportunity, I kind of like this horse here.Her last two starts over the turf were nothing special, but she doesn’t appear to be a turfer anyway.She won nicely over the dirt at right about this level before getting trounced in a stake at Prairie Meadows and then trying the turf at Remington.Now she’ll be back on the dirt and back at a level where she appears to fit.She’ll come off the pace and be dangerous in here I think.

3 – Tez Sivitri (Rhone/Hamilton): Tabby’s stablemate and upset Minnesota Distaff Classic Champion by over 9 lengths, she ran very well over the Remington Park turf last year at this level and higher.Her season was pretty uneven this season until the huge win in the distaff.If that was a signal that she’s back to her old form, she’ll be another one flying late and tough in here.

4 – Why Wonder Why (Engel/Berry): Big winner last out in a $5000 Starter in his Remington debut.Could be a bit over her head in here, but – like most of the starters in here – her Beyers’ fit just fine. She has some early speed and hopefully will challenge the inside horse as well as EZ Time a bit further out.

5 – Going Okie (Pish/Joubert): Won in her last race of last season a notch above here.Her comebacker, at the same level, was a bit flat but only finished a length back over the turf.Back to the dirt and drops a rung.She’s a Remington only horse and had done well with that strategy so far.

6 – Dixieland Baby (Davidson/McNeil): Has only one win in the last year over the lawn at Hoosier but has been competitive on the dirt.The one win was an allowance win as well.Her Remington seasonal bow was less than impressive, though she did stalk the leaders for a while before fading so with improved fitness she could be a bit more competitive while dropping one rung in class.

7 – E Z Time (Engle/Quinonez):A huge winner after a summer break, winning by just under 11 lengths in a $10,000 claiming race without really being asked while posting a career best 81 Beyer.A repeat of that front running performance here and it’s all over but the shouting.

8 – TABBY LANE (Rhone/Butler)

Tabby has won 3 of her last 4 and 4 of her last 6.The last couple of races she wasn’t all out and so we know that there is more in the tank.The question that will be answered in this race, is just how much is left in that tank.She’ll be off the pace early, we know that – her stalking trip last out notwithstanding.She should like the added sixteenth as well.The class factor, though, is going to be where it gets decided.If she can handle this group is going to come down to how well she can compete against horses that have been racing at $35,000 as opposed to $10,000/$16,000.There should be some pace and Dean should have her out of trouble, the rest is going to be up to her.